Shortly after sundown on the vernal equinox, a group of people gathered to light a bonfire and exorcise winter from their rural neighborhood in central North Carolina. Dancing, chanting “Winter, go away!” as the flames sent sparks rising to a starlit canopy, they believed they were bringing on a new, warmer season. Bob and I […]
Author: Camille Armantrout
Camille lives with her soul mate Bob in the back woods of central North Carolina where she hikes, gardens, cooks, and writes.
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Going Through the Motions
It’s my morning to write and I can’t think of anything to say. The sun is going through the motions on another cold day, rising to spotlight the branches of the oak across the street. The squirrels are fighting over bird seed. Traffic dribbles down the Moncure Pittsboro Road. The forced air heat and refrigerator […]
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Wisdom of the Ages
I love those greeting cards that say, “You’re not getting older, you’re getting better – like fine wine.” And it’s true as far as I can tell. I listen to cassette tapes I made in my twenties and cringe at my tone, asserting myself brashly, my insecurity thinly disguised as self-confidence. Yet, I so appreciate […]
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America’s Welfare Queens
In 1979 an actor turned president coined the phrase “Welfare Queen” in an attempt to promote tax reform. Ronald Regan’s ploy worked. Welfare reform began and was continued by successive administrations. Unfortunately the tax cuts went to the top, benefiting the upper class at the expense of the middle class. Never mind that the welfare […]
I’ve been watching a lot of videos lately, mostly because I recently discovered the fun at Upworthy.com. All of which have gotten my philosophical juices flowing. This one in particular featuring Senator Bernie Sanders and Secretary of Labor Robert Reich fed a pet theory of mine which I’ll call the Kingdom of Serfs. Things haven’t […]